Local government units in Metro Cebu have expressed readiness to extend assistance to General Santos City following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano said the city is considering providing financial assistance to support relief and recovery efforts in the affected area.
“We are considering gyud to provide assistance to the people of Gensan,” Ouano said.
He said the city initially explored deploying an emergency response team to Mindanao, but noted that logistical constraints and distance make direct deployment less practical.
Ouano said financial assistance would allow local authorities on the ground to immediately identify and address urgent needs.
“Cash assistance lang usa kay maoy madali and mao dayon ang maggamit nila,” he said.
The Mandaue City Council, during its regular session, approved a resolution expressing solidarity with earthquake-hit communities and authorizing the mayor to extend financial aid and deploy personnel if needed.
Councilor Carlo Fortuna said the measure allows flexibility depending on the request of national agencies and affected local governments.
“Pareho atong linog sa Bogo City nga kinahanglan ta magpada og team ngadto. If needed sa national government, the city mayor is authorized to send our own CDRRMO to provide relief and recovery assistance to the affected LGUs,” Fortuna said.
Ouano said the final amount of financial assistance has yet to be determined.
In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival said the local government is closely monitoring the situation in Mindanao following the earthquake and is maintaining coordination with disaster response agencies.
He said the city is also evaluating possible assistance that may be extended to affected areas, alongside continued emphasis on preparedness and coordinated response.
Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan said the city government is ready to provide immediate assistance and is closely coordinating with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Office of Civil Defense Region VII, and other national agencies.
She said five trained personnel are on standby for possible deployment to Southern Mindanao as part of an Incident Management Team (IMT) augmentation.
King-Chan said the team can be mobilized immediately if required, as the city remains on heightened alert.
“As Oponganons, we stand in solidarity with our fellow Filipinos in Mindanao during this difficult time,” she said. “We join everyone in prayer for their safety, strength, and swift recovery.”
#SouthernMindanaoEarthquakeJune8
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